Wiggo Gives CRT the Thumbs Up

Team Sky and Bradley Wiggins, the first ever British Tour de France winner, have lent their support to the Canal & River Trust, by donating an autographed Team Sky cycle jersey for auction.

The jersey was sold for £1300 on Ebay, with the entirety of the proceeds going directly to the new charity which has taken guardianship of England and Wales’ waterways. The Team Sky 2012 cycling jersey includes signatures from Wiggins and teammate Mark Cavendish. Five of the signatories are set to compete in the Olympics as part of Team GB.

Every penny of the money will be used directly on work to conserve, restore, enhance and educate people about the incredible 200 year old network of inland waterways that the charity cares for. The item was donated by BSkyB to raise funds for the Canal & River Trust’s staff cycle ride between London and Brussels, which is taking place at the end of August.

Head of Fundraising Ruth Ruderham says, “We are incredibly thankful to BSkyB for donating the jersey. Such an item was always going to be of great value, and the amount raised is a fantastic boost to the fundraising efforts of our staff.”

The cycle ride covers nearly 300 miles, beginning at Paddington Basin and the nineteen participants will have the opportunity to visit Amsterdam and Brussels, two of Europe’s most popular cities for cycling.

The Canal & River Trust is the guardian of 2,000 miles of canal and river across England and Wales. The Trust, which is among the largest charities in the UK, has taken over from British Waterways and The Waterways Trust in England and Wales to become the guardian of the nation’s third largest collection of Listed structures, as well as museums, archives and hundreds of important wildlife habitats.

By giving people a greater role in the running of their local waterways, the Canal & River Trust marks the next exciting chapter in the long history of the nation’s former industrial waterways. The move is underpinned by a £1bn investment from government, including a landmark 15-year grant funding agreement, and opens up the potential for attracting new sources of income.

Becca Wright

Launch Assistant

Canal and River Trust

T: 0207 985 7710

M: 07825 792 386

The Canal & River Trust is a new charity entrusted with the care of 2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales. Get involved, join us – Visit I Donate I Volunteer at www.canalrivertrust.org.uk